James Patterson Awards Holiday Bonus to Frederick Bookstore Employee

A bookseller from the Frederick bookstore, Curious Iguana, received a holiday bonus courtesy of renowned author James Patterson. The announcement was made on December 18, 2023, via a Facebook post from the store, highlighting employee Sam Collins as one of the lucky recipients of this special recognition. Collins was selected as one of 600 awardees from a competitive pool of 6,000 nominees.

The initiative, backed by the American Booksellers Association, saw Patterson pledge a total of $300,000 to be distributed as $500 grants to the winners. This effort aims to support booksellers who play a vital role in their communities, especially during the holiday season.

Curious Iguana owner Marlene England expressed her pride in Collins’ achievement. “I’m thrilled to have Sam recognized with this award,” she stated in a message to The Baltimore Sun. “She is an outstanding bookseller and a very valuable member of our team here at Curious Iguana.”

Furthermore, Patterson expressed his appreciation for the work that booksellers do. “I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough—booksellers save lives,” he noted in a statement shared on social media. “What they do is crucial, especially right now. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and their hard work this holiday season.”

The post from Curious Iguana also featured several of Collins’ recommended reads, including titles such as “My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite, “Household Lore” by Liza Frank, and “The Butcher’s Daughter” by David Demchuk and Corinne Leigh Clark.

“I’m so grateful for all that Sam does for us, day in and day out,” England remarked. “To have her recognized nationally by James Patterson in this way is really special.”

This initiative not only highlights the importance of local bookstores but also underscores the impact of individual contributions to the literary community. As the holiday season approaches, such recognitions serve as a reminder of the hard work and dedication that often goes unnoticed in the bookselling industry.